YOUR QUESTION

06/05/2020 Valentina Sangiorgio

Hi Trevor!
1. I know how to read sheet music but I am not sure how to know if I need to re-tune my bass. For example, if the sheet music is in a certain key, how would you know if you have to re-tune, like if the tuning is in standard E, D, drop D, Eb, etc.? I don't know if I worded that right, but you'll probably get it.
2. This kind of goes with the first question, but what would suggest doing to practice reading sheet music? I only use tabs to play but I would really like to learn how to play reading sheet music.
3. I really want to learn how to play slap bass. I've tried watching videos on how to do it but when I try, it just sounds sloppy and I feel like my thumb is just flying around and missing the string most of the time lol. I can't play fast at all either :D How did you learn, or what did you do to practice playing slap?
4. I use a starter kit bass. What bass would you suggest to be a good bass but not so expensive? I've been doing some research and I came across the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV Pro. What's your thoughts on it?
Thank you Trevor for all that you do and for being such a down to earth guy!! YOU'RE THE BEST!! Stay safe! :)

MY ANSWER

1. The only reason you would need to tune the E string down (to Eb, D , etc) is if the music required those specific notes otherwise out of the instrumen’s range. Music written for bass, regardless of key, can all be written with standard tuning in mind. Unless the composer has specific reasons for scordatura it is assumed that you are in standard tuning.
2. I’m not a believer in TAB. I think it’s an inefficient and limited form. To practice reading all you need to do is read. Read anything—bass music, piano music, violin music— any clef. I also highly recommend taking some piano lessons and learning the basics of reading with that instrument. It also helps to transcribe some of your favorite melodies or bass lines. Write them out yourself, then play along while you read it.
3. Most of my slap technique came from checking out Larry Graham, Louis Johnson and Mark King. Louis Johnson has a great instructional video that I believe you can view on the interwebs. It also would behoove you to study with a private teacher, preferably in person. The act of slap bass is quite physical. The two main components are the downward ‘thumb’ and the upward ‘pluck’ (typically up an octave from the ‘thump’. Also, the only way to play fast is to first be able to play slow. Take it one metronome marking at a time.
4. I don’t know that bass specifically but ultimately, as long as it doesn’t feel like a baseball bat, the action is tolerable and the strings don’t have shards of rust on them, anything will work for a starter bass. The cheap Fender knockoffs are perfect actually.